Thrust screw connecter



May 14, 1935. HAUSER THRUST SCREW CONNECTER Filed Nov. 18, 1933 Fig. 9

Fig. 8

Patented May 14, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,000,947 'rmwsr SCREW coN E'c'rEa Adalbert Hauser, New York, N. Y. Application November I8, 1933, Serial No. 698,616 19 Claims. (Cl. 221

as paste tubes to exercise considerable care inflnding the thread and to avoid stripping the thread by exercise of undue force.

According to the present invention the cap is assembled on the neck of the body member with one thrust substantially to the end and tightened with a short twist or turn. For the removal of the cap it is turned in the reversed direction in manner to ordinary threaded connection.

According to the invention a flexible connection is provided between the cap and plug or neck of such character that it will permit the connection to catch without the necessity of putting the parts together in a certain position, whilst the connection will resist attempts to move the cap in the reversed axial direction.

According to the invention a U-spring is preferably disposed with its legs in an inclined and slanting slot or recess in an unthreaded cap to engage the threads on the neck and sustained by the wall of said inclined slot so that it yields upward and outward in attachment thrust and is clamped between the threads and slot when pressure is exerted on it in the reversed axial direction to form a positive grip with the threads.

The spring is preferably so situated with respect to the threads that on diametrically opposite sides of the cap each leg extends nearly tangentially within the thread but the two legs are ofiset somewhat so that the legs can catch successively.

0n the return movement in removal of the cap, the leg of the spring is clamped by the cap against the lower slope of the thread thereby necessitating a conventional unscrewing movement to withdraw the cap.

In another embodiment the spring member hugs the neck adjacent a tapered portion of the container, so that threads in this instance on the cap will displace and pass the spring as the cap is applied, and which spring will be expanded bysaid tapered portion to positively holdthe cap in the threads in withdrawal of the cap.

In another embodiment a plate is provided within the cap which has sufficient resiliency so that when the cap is near home position a part of its axial motion is taken up by the resiliency of said plate.

In another embodiment, the thread is'replaced by a steel coil spring encircling and attached to the neck of the container.

Other objects will appear in the detailed specification.

In'the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a sec: tional view of an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a sideelevation thereof, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the cap alone, Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially along the lines A-B of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the spring, Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the container, Fig. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment, Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a further modification, Fig. 9 shows the container of this modification with the spring expanded on the taper, Fig. 10 shows the container with the spring omitted, Fig. 11 is the cap in longitudinal section for. the modification of Fig. 8, Fig. 12 is perspective view of the spring therefor, Fig. 13 is a top view of the coil spring for the modificationof Fig. 7, Fig. 14 is a side view thereof, Fig. 15 is a section of the cap of another modification, and Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section showing an application of the invention to a lamp socket.

The container I has a neck 2 which is pro-. vided with threads 3. A cap 4, preferably with the usual knurled rim I3, is fitted over the threads and is provided with two inclined recesses 5 extending obliquely inward along the pitch of the thread into which the movable legs 6 of the U-spring I extend, and presenting ledges l2 which sustain the legs 6. These recesses have such location as to lead the spring 6 into the groove of the threads and are so inclined and slanted that the spring will be-moved upward and outward by the threads as the cap is thrust over the neck. Thus the spring legs 6 will fit the thread groove and contact the threads evenly. The U-spring 1 has an ear 8 at its middle bent at about a right angle to the plane of the spring and serving to fasten it to. a stud 0 on the cap 4.

Legs [0 are formed on the cap to cover the otherwise exposed ends of thespring, without hindering their motion, andso protecting the user from injury.

The operation of this device is substantially as follows: normally, the spring rests with its legs 6 at the bottom of the recess -5 to which position it is pressed by its resilience. To apply the cap it is simply thrust onto the neck of the container without the need for attempting first to register the lead. In operation, the spring will click over the successive threads as the top slope of the thread will force the spring out of its place into the upper part of the recess. This motion in the majority of cases will carry the cap nearly to home position on the neck, but owing to the various actual locations of the spring in the threads and-the resulting difference in the axial distances, the cap may not by this action snugly engage the extremity of the neck. In order to tighten the cap a short turn is made which will advance the spring in the threads until the end of the cap securely contacts the extremity of the neck. In this tightening action the bottom slope of the threads will force the spring inwardly in the slot against the ledge I2 to form a positive and secure grip.

The device is especially suited for liquids or semi-liquids, where a fluid tight connection is required. If desired, a mark may be applied on the container, with which the ear of the cap may be aligned in applying the cap, so that a minimum arc of rotation is needed to take up slack or lost motion.

In the modification of Figs. 7, 13 and 14, a coil spring of harder material is used on the neck of the container in place of the threads on the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6. This embodiment is desirable for a more permanent container than a paste tube of soft metal. Encircling the neck 2A of the container l is a coil spring ll of durable material as steel or brass, etc., with its ends l4, l5 extending into corresponding holes 22, 23 of the neck 2, by which it is securely held. The locking spring IA is fastened at 9A at the rim I3A of the cap 4A. The ends 6A of the spring fit, as in the previous case, in a recess 5A of .the cap IA. The turns of the coil have a certain resiliency in the axial direction which will aid the locking spring in holding the parts together.

The operation of this modification is otherwise similar to that of Figs. 1 to .6, with the difference that when the cap is turned, the yield will be greater in tightening. Should it be desired to eliminate such resiliency of the coil, the neck can be provided with a groove into which the coil extends sufficiently to resist movement.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8-12 the container has a neck part over which a cap fits, but the arrangement of the holding means is reversed, the threads being in the cap and the locking spring on the neck. The neck i6 is provided with a tapered part H the bottom of which is hugged by a spring member l9. This spring has an ear bent at right angles to the plane of the spring and serves the purpose of fastening it to the stud 2| of the container. The ends of this spring normally do not meet, so that the spring can be contracted in diameter. A cap 23 is provided with internal threads 24, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the outside diameter of the spring l9.

When the cap is thrust over the neck of the container and pushed forward the threads will engage the spring forcing it inward to contract it sufilciently for the threads to pass. In tightening the cap by a slight twist following the thrust, the threads will force the spring l9 upward against the tapered portion I! with the result that the spring will expand in diameter, and be clamped between the threads and taper so that it provides suificient hold to retain the cap on the neck tightly, positively preventin retraction by mere pull. To remove the cap it must be turned like any screw cap.

In the modification of Fig. 15, means is shown for taking up the lost motion usually occurring in the axial direction between cap and end of the neck affording a resilient lock. For this purpose a plate is provided in the cap of resiliency such that any lost motion is taken up.

The cap 4', shown in Fig. 15, has a plate 26 which is fastened at the centre by a stud 21 and is spared from the cap thereabout so that it can yield around the periphery. This cap is otherwise similar to that of Fig. 3 and when provided with a spring (not shown), can be used in its place. As can be seen, when the cap is pushed on the neck, as above described, the pressure will cause the periphery of the plate to be forced toward the cap so that only a very short distance is required to tighten the cap after it has been thrust onto the container.

Fig. 16 shows an embodiment substantially identical with that of Figs. 1-6 applied illustratively for connection of an electric lamp into its socket.

The main body 28 of the socket carries a tubular metal part 29 around which an insulating sleeve 30 is placed in the usual manner, and over which the outer metal housing 3| is fitted. The tubing 29 is of such diameter that the threaded neck of a normal electric lamp 33 fits into it. To the tube 29 a spring 1 is fastened by means of an ear 34 punched out of the tubing said spring being fitted into recess 5 --5 of the tube 29. The spring is substantially identical with that of Fig. 5 and the recesses for the spring in tubing 29 are also like those in Fig. 1. The electric contact is made by the tube 29 and center part 95. The operation 01' this modification is similar to the one of Figs. 1-6.

In the illustrations I have shown the recesses and springs at the opposite side of the cap following the lead of the thread. Both legs of the spring will catch the thread at the same time. This might require as much as a half turn of the cap for tightening after the thrust. Should tightening be desired by a shorter turn, the legs of the U-wire and the corresponding recesses could be so located that they are offset relative to each other by half the pitch of the thread, so that one of the legs will catch the thread on one side while the other is near the top of the thread at the opposite side.

I have shown one or more possible embodiments as examples in which the invention might be utilized. But it is understood that the invention is not limited to the modifications as illustrated and many changes can be made within the scope and spirit of this invention. This invention resides in thenovel plug and socket connecter and the body member to which the plug is attached might be of various character and serve difierent purposes. Likewise the socket can have additional functions outside of the tightening of a contact with the plug and which functions are not part of the invention.

It will thus be seen that there is herein described apparatus in which the several features of the invention are embodied, and which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention and is well suited to meet the requirementsof the practical use. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense.

What I claim is:

1. A mechanical connecter comprising a male and a coacting female member, one of said members having a resilient spring loop fixed thereabout, the other of said members ,having an inclined ridge of such diameter as in the application of said elements to depress the spring member out of the path of the rigid member, the element carrying said spring member having a backing portion for the latter to retain the same against displacement from the inclined rigid member in any relative rotary movement of the parts, whereby the elements can be assembled by a direct thrust and subsequently tightened or removed by a rotary movement.

2. A mechanical connecter comprising a male member and a female member, a U-shaped metal spring fixed at its middle to one of said members and exposed at its sides to the complementary member, for yielding resiliently in a thrust movement of connection to said elements, said complementary members having coacting parts between which the legs of said spring are clamped in any subsequent relative rotary movement of the parts for security of connection.

' 3. A thrust screw connecter comprising a threaded male element, a female element telescoped thereover, said latter element having a U- shaped spring fixed centrally thereto and having its legs lodged in corresponding oblique transverse slots through said female member and adapted resiliently to engage in the threads of the male member whereby the two elements may be connected by a simple thrust whereby the spring will ratchet over the successive threads and in any subsequent relative turn of the parts the spring will be clamped between the thread and the lower edge of the slots, lodging the pr n 4. A screw cap connection comprising a threaded neck, a cap therefor, a U-shaped spring having a mounting loop at its middle secured to the exterior of said cap and oblique slots transversely of said cap, and said slots tapered obliquely inwardly from the outer to the inner wall of the cap, the legs of said spring lodged in said slot and resiliently ratcheting over the threads on said neck, in the thrust application of the cap, whereby in any subsequent rotary movement of the cap the legs of the spring will be securely clamped by the threads against the lower edge of the slot, and removal of the cap will take place by a conventional unthreading movement.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 in which the cap has unitary protecting shields over the otherwise exposed ends of the U-shaped pring.

6. The combination set forth in claim 4 in which the thread on the neck has a hard coil spring about the substantially smooth neck, and with which the U-shaped spring connects in the manner set forth.

7. A thrust screw cap connecter comprising a threaded neck, a cap having a metallic resilient element protruding inward from the inner wall thereof into engagement with the thread on the neck, said cap having a reaction element under said resilient part to force the latter into engagement with the thread under rotary thrust and said cap affording a clearance space for said resilient part to permit the latter to ratchet over the thread in thethrust of application.

8. A thrust screw cap connecter comprising a threaded neck, a cap having diametrically opposite metallic resilient members, protruding inward from the inner wall thereof and spaced longitudinally of the cap by substantially onehalf the pitch of the thread on theneck for registry with the thread on the neck, said cap having reaction elements under said resilient members to force the latter into engagement with the thread under rotary thrust and said cap affording clearance spaces for said resilient members to permit the latter to ratchet over the thread in the thrust of application.

9. A thrust screw cap connecter-comprising a neck having an oblique upwardly and outwardly tapering ledge, a spring metal loop fixed at its middle on said neck and having legs extending about said taper ledge, and whereby a tapped screw cap of correspond ng size may be readily telescoped over said neck, and upon rotary displacement of said cap said spring will be caused to spread upwardly along said taper ledge and lock said cap in position.

10. A thrust screw connecter comprising a threaded male member, a coacting female member having resilient parts protruding inward for coaction with the threads on said male member and arranged for ratcheting over said threads in the application, said female member having a reaction part for forcing the resilient portion against the threads in the rotary movement and a resilient plate interposed between the ends of the male and the female member to resiliently take up play when the parts are brought to home position.

11. A thrust screw cap connection comprisingprotruding inward into engagement with the threaded neck, said cap having a reaction part against which the resilient means are clamped in any rotary movement of the cap.

12. An electric lamp socket adapted for conventional screw plug lamps, said socket comprising smooth shell metallic resilient members extending inward from said shell for coaction with the threaded plug of the lamp, said resilient elements extending into oblique slots in the shell whereby they will ratchet past the successive convolutions of the screwplug of the lamp when the latter is pushed in and will be clamped against said screw plug in any rotary tightening movement of the lamp, and whereby said lamp may be removed from said socket by an ordinary unscrewing operation.

13. A mechanical connecter comprising in combination, a male and a co-acting female member,

- a helical rib on one member and catch means cooperating with said rib adapted to permit bringing these members in coaxial overlapping positions by mere axial movement irrespective of their relative angular position and to hold said members in tight engagement, and stop surfaces to limit said axial movement.

14. A mechanical connection as in claim 13, the catch and rib being adapted to co-operate like mating screw threads.

15. A mechanical connection comprising in combination two cylindrical members, a helical rib on one of these members, said members being adapted to be brought in coaxial overlapping positions by mere axial movement irrespective of their relative angular positions, stop surfaces on such members for limiting said axial movement, and a catch on one of said members co-operating with said rib adapted to hold said stop surfaces in tight engagement.

16. A mechanical connecter comprising a male and a co-acting female member, one of said members having a substantially continuous helical ridge or thread, the other member having a catch member tending under spring tension to engage said thread, and means to automatically sustain said catch member to retain it firmly against thebly motion by said thread tending under spring tension to engage said threads to automatically retain one of said members firmly against the companion part upon exertion of a tension on said catch member in opposite direction to the straight thrust of application in order to tighten said two parts together.

18. A mechanical connecter comprising a male and a co-acting female member, a movable catch member under spring tension attached to said female member, a helical ridge or thread on said male member, a sustaining surface on said female member to guide and to restrict the movement of said catch member in one direction so that it will yield and ratchet over the thread in the straight assembly thrust, and be retained against yielding automatically in the reversed relative motion of the parts, whereby the parts can be tightened or removed by a rotary movement.

19. A mechanical connecter comprising a male and a co-acting female member, a helical rib or thread on one member, a movable catch member acting under spring tension, attached to the other member and tending to engage said thread and capable of ratcheting over the thread in the axial 

